Lose Weight While Eating Chocolate!

Cheat Days: Can You Really Eat Junk and Still Lose Weight?

There is a lot of argument going around about whether or not to include a cheat day in your diet. I say YES. Definitely yes.

There are a few reasons for this. Most of the discussion seems to be around it improving your results through a spike in calories which in turn revs up the metabolism, but I think besides all of the science, it is a must for the simple reason that it greatly improves adherence.

Any diet is only going to be effective if it can be followed without too much effort for a decent amount of time. Psychologically, the cheat day allows a dieter to feel as though they are not being deprived of all their

Psychologically, the cheat day allows a dieter to feel as though they are not being deprived of all their favorite foods. Instead, they can be in control of their behavior and allow themselves these treats once per week, on their cheat day.

I personally have used cheat days with success in dieting, and can attest that it definitely makes a diet easier to stick to. Instead of pining over ‘bad’ foods that I couldn’t have, I wrote them down and then indulged on my cheat day.

Will It Affect My Results?

As far as the effect on results, I think it’s inconclusive. Can you lose weight without a having a cheat day?

Absolutely. Can you pig out once a week on a cheat day and still lose weight eating well the other six days of the week. You certainly can. If there is little difference, the clear winner here is to add the cheat day.

It also helps you to remain social when you are trying to be strict with yourself. In my case, it also stops me ripping candy out of random children’s hands 🙂

If there is little difference, the clear winner here is to add the cheat day. It also helps you to remain social when you are trying to be strict with yourself. In my case, it also stops me ripping candy out of random children’s hands 🙂

A couple of things to note, though, it is worthwhile to go easy. The good idea is to have your regular (healthy) breakfast and then indulge at lunch and dinner.

Another good idea, although this is optional, is to do a workout before your pig out. This way, you can minimize any potential damage. You literally can have your cake, and eat it too.

Where Can I Learn More?

I used the diet outlined in The 4 Hour Body by Tim Ferriss, which includes and encourages cheat days, as well as allowing a glass or two of red wine every night. Still resulted in weight loss. What’s not to like?

If this sounds like something you think could work for you too, you can grab the book here.

Low carb = low cal. That’s why it works. Plain and simple. When you reomve one whole macronutrient from your plate, you reduce your calories by approx 1/3rd. Was nothing to do with﻿ food type. You can lose weight eating pasta, or rice, or yams. So long as you run a calorie deficit. I eat lean protein, carbs, fat. I just eat less and I exercise more. I lost 30 lbs in 4 months and kept it off 2 yrs now. Eat from smaller plates. Ur eyes see a full plate, but ur eating less. Go walking too

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